Defensive weapon



' April 10 1956 J. R. STEWART 2,741,025

DEFENSIVE wEAPoN Filed Oct. 20, 1955 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent O DEFENSIVE WEAPON James Ross Stewart, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application October 20, 1955, Serial No. 541,780 3 Claims. (Cl. 30-151) My invention relates to defensive weapons and, more specifically, to defensive dagger-type weapons.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class above described, which is relatively compact in size so as to permit carrying of same in a womans handbag or the like, and which may be put into extremely effective use immediately without adjustment of any of the parts thereof.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class immediately above described, which is provided with a sheath, which automatically extends itself so as to cover the point of the dagger element, when not in use, so as to permit carrying the same in a womans handbag or the like without damaging the same or its contents, but which sheath will become automatically reduced so as to expose the pointed end of the dagger element when compressive force is exerted on the outer end of said sheath in the direction of the hand grip forming body.

A still further and important objective of my invention is the provision of a weapon of the class above described, preferably formed from relatively hard rubber, said body element having a dagger element projecting at right angles to the axis thereof intermediate the ends, and a rubberlike or elastic sheath formed integrally with `the body and snugly, but slidably, encompassing the dagger element and having a normal length greater than the dagger element, whereby to normally cover and render harmless the pointed end of the dagger element.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a defensive weapon, of the character generally above described, which may be effectively used by women in self-defense, which may be conveniently carried and substantially concealed in the hand of the user, and which requires no practice or natural ability to use same effectively.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described, which may be relatively inexpensively produced and which, while highly effective in use, is almost completely innocuous in appearance when in disuse.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation of my novel device;

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical axial section, as seen substantially from the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3, but showing a different position of some of the parts thereof to illustrate usage.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a body element of a length not disproportionate to the width of the hand of the user, so as to be substantially concealed within the hand of the user when gripped thereby. Preferably, the body element 1 is formed from relatively hard rubber-like material and has longitudinally spaced transversely extended grooves 2 in its undersurface 3. A dagger element 4 has its headed inner end 5 imbedded within the body 1 and preferably vulcanized thereto. The shaft 5a of the dagger element 4 projects downwardly from the body 1 intermediate the ends thereof and at right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof. The shaft 5a of the dagger element 4 terminates at 6in a pointed outer end.

A sheath 7, preferably and as shown, formed from relatively soft rubber-like elastic material is vulcanized to the body 1, as at 8, so as to become integral therewith. The sheath 7 is tubular in shape and preferably tightly encompasses the shaft 5a of the dagger 4. However, the

sheath 7 is not vulcanized to the shaft 5a, but rather is longitudinally slidable with respect thereto, so as to permit shortening of the sheath with respect to the shaft 5a, permitting exposure of the point 6 when compressive force is exerted longitudinally of the sheath 7 in the direction of the body 1, as shown in Fig. 4. It will be noted, by reference to Figs. 1-3, that the longitudinal dimenisons of the sheath 7 are such as to completely conceal the point 6 therewithin when said sheath 7 is in its normal undisplaced condition. This factor, as above indicated, enables the intended user to place same in a handbag or the like, without damage to the interior of the handbag or its contents.

From the above it will be readily seen that even a woman may carry my novel weapon in her handbag or purse. When in fear of molestation, she may remove same from the handbag and place same within her hand, without embarrassment, as same is completely innocuous in appearance. However, in the event of necessity, she may effectively stab an assailant sufficiently to discourage any attack; at which time, depending entirely upon the extent of the thrust, the pointed end 6 of the shaft 5a of the dagger element 4 is available for penetration of the attacker, the sheath 7, as above indicated, automatically shortening in length-and increasing in width. It is obvious that the sheath 7 will again return to its normal position of Fig. 3, in which position it may be reinserted in the handbag or purse of the user without damage to the contents.

While I have shown and disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be obvious that same is capable of modification without departure of the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

t l. In a device of the class described, a body element formed from relatively hard rubber-like material and defining a hand grip, an elongated dagger element terminating in a pointed outer end, means anchoring the inner end of said dagger element to said body element, and a tubular sheath of relatively soft elastic material slidably encompassing said dagger element and normally concealing the pointed outer end thereof, said sheath decreasing in length upon compressive force being exerted on the outer end thereof toward the body element, whereby to expose said pointed outer end of said dagger element.

V2. The structure defined in claim l in which said body element and said sheath are integrally formed.

3. In a device of the class described, an elongated body element formed from relatively hard rubber-like material and dening a hand grip, an elongated dagger element projecting laterally outwardly from said body element intermediate its ends and having an enlarged inner end imbedded within said body element and terminating in a pointed outer end, a tubular sheath of relatively soft elastic material formed integrally with said body element and snugly but slidably encompassing said dagger element, said sheath having a length normally concealing the pointed outer end of said dagger element but decreasing in length upon compressive force being exerted on the outer end thereof toward said body element whereby to expose said pointed end.

No references cited, 

